"Our most recent forecast for 2009 indicates that visitor numbers to the island will have fallen by 13 per cent. Our most important market, Great Britain, is forecast to fall by 16 per cent. In addition, we have also seen declines of 6 per cent from North America and 10 per cent from mainland Europe.”

The committee chairman Tom Kitt said that the travelers were now more price conscious. He added that the $14 tax imposed by the Irish government on all international travelers was severely damaging the tourist industry.

Members of the committee also criticized the Irish media for "begrudging" government figures that travel abroad for St Patrick's Day.

Every year the Irish media publishes in detail, the expenses of government figures that travel abroad for St Patrick's Day.

The drop in tourist numbers is a further blow to Ireland, which is still stuck in a deep recession.